Boring apparatus



H. L. G. RlcoUARD 2,828,943

April l, 1958 BORING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 17. 1953 1W IM S Q V' w M .T 8 0 m d. M IUT 1. 5697. .M Agr s. .l 6A n .m .n w H H. L. G. RICOUARD 2,828,943

April 1', l195s BORING APPARATUS w Fild Nov.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Hanru LoN GEoRGESlcovNw 1N VENT o (E H. l.. G. RxcoUARD 2,828,943

April l, 195.8

BORING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 1'7. 1953 Henri I on Georges Rmouond United States Patent e() 2,828,943 `BORING APPARATUS Henri Lon Georges .Ricouard, Enghiendesains, France Application November 17, wsa-serial No. 392,705

fclaims. Y(ci....5s1)

`The invention relates to apparatuses which VEbreak up the ground and removethe broken up material and which are capable yof operating under dry or wet conditions. Boring 'apparatuses of this-type'comprise an elongated substantiallycylindrical bodywhich is suspended at the end of a cable and contains, slidable therein a movable block which forms a piston and which actuates grab scoops'pivoted to the lower end of the cylindrical body. The scoops, when in their open position, constitute the boring'tool androperate on the soil by percussion owing to the'weight of the body and the movable block. When 7 the movable block is raised by a controlling cable the scoops are caused to close and gather or seize the broken `up soil.

These-boring apparatuses possess various disadvantages.

` Generally two cables kare necessary, one cable being einploy'edfor raising the boring apparatus and the other controlling the closing and opening of the scoops.

When the boring'apparatus enters into contactwith the soil yduring the boring operation, and above all when the bottom of the pit has a rounded shape, these Vscoops have a tendency to close. Furthermore,'the lreactions trom the impact'of the scoops on the soil are'transmitted its lower end a wedge member which, when the scoops are in their open position, Vbears against `and wedges I the adjacent and 'cooperating portions of said/scoops.

According to another feature of the inventiomaniabutment device causes theslidable rod to abut againstthe movable Ablock-when thelatter rises to `ensure'the 4closing of the'scoops.

When the boring-apparatus has only one cable and is lprovided with a'head which `coope1-ateswith a hooking ring, ythis cable includes an abutment member sok rarranged as to `engage a'retractable abutment,;associated with the head, when'the slidable rod is in its lower position and locks'the scoops in their open position;

v/lt can be'seen that, owing to ythese various arrangements, these scoops may ybe positively 'locked or held yin their open position bythe wedge'formed by the Afslidable rodfand theportiontof the cablesituated inside the boring -apparatus is thus putout .of action .since it is vlocated between two xedpoints which are constituted by ythe point at which 4the trod is wedged against the scoopssand thefabutments.carriedfby the head-.of; the borv'ingapparatus .v-By :merely :hauling on the .cable iwhen fthe'f boringi apparatus restsfupon '.the soil, :the v,slid able 'rod ICC and the movable block are raised resulting in the closure of the scoops, and the boring apparatus is hoisted.

According to another feature of the invention, utilized when the open grab scoops are required to elect several up and down percussion movements in the manner of a boring tool, the head of the boring apparatus is provided with a locking device which permits the retractable abutntents to be locked in position so that they prevent the cable from operating the members controlling the scoops.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from the ensuing description with refeernce to the accompanying drawings given solely by wayof eX- ample and in which:

Fig. l is a vertical sectional View of the boring apparatus showing the -scoops of the grab in `their open position,

Fig. 2 is a View similar to that of Fig. 1 but showing the grab closed,

Fig. 3 is a view partially in section of one detail of the apparatus,

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of one of the grab scoops, Fig.y 5 is a sectional view on line 5-5 of Fig. 4, Fig. 6 is a'vertical sectional View of the hooking ring, Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are views showing different positions of the head of the boring apparatus and the hooking ring, lFig. l0 is an elevational view partially in section of the locking device of the head of the boring apparatus,

Fig. ll is a sectional View on line 11-11 of Fig, l0,

Fig. i2 is a fragmentary sectional View on line 12-12 of Fig. 1l, and i Fig. 13 is a partial perspective view of the block con trolling the scoops.

In referring to the vdrawings,it can be seen that the boring apparatus comprises three parts, a substantially cylindrical body 1, an upper'cylindro-conical part 2 which is connected by arched portions 3 to a hooking head 4, and a lower ring 5 on which are pivotally mounted by pinsl or spindles 6 grab scoops 7. VThese threeparts are interconnected by any means, not shown in the drawing, for example by nuts or locking collars in the manner well known in the art.

The ring S has a slightly downwardly ilared shape and thescoops 7, two of which are provided in the illustrative embodiment, comprise adjacent their pivotal mounting on pins 6 flat bearing surfaces 8 which are adapted to abut against corresponding surfaces 9 provided on the ring 5 (see Figs. 4 and 5) so as positively to limit the opening movement of the scoops 7 and thus prevent the latter from assuming an excessive inclination away from the axis of the boring apparatus. At their lower ends, these scoops 7 are chamfered at 10 so that when the scoops penetrate the soil, their lower ends tend to move outwardly and thusv urge the bearing surfaces 8 against the corresponding surfaces 9 provided on the ring 5.

inside the body 1 is disposed, as known perse, a movable block 11 which forms a piston whose downward movement is limited Iby an annular abutment or shoulder i2 provided on the inner wall of the body 1. This block 11 is connected by ribs 13 (see Fig. 3) to a lower cylindrical sleeve or tube 14 which when assembled in the body l extends beyond the Vlower end of the latter. The block 11, ribs ll'n` and the sleeve 14 are advantageously cast vin one piece as shown in Fig. 13. This sleeve 14 is connected by a key or pin 15 to a forked member comprising a tubular block 15 provided at its lower end with a fork 17. This 'fork 17 carries adjacent its lower end pins 18 which extend through elongated apertures '19 provided' n *side members 20 which are integral with the scoops 7.

The block or piston 11 is provided at its upper part with a cross-piece'Zl against which bears a compression spring 22 which bears at its other end against a sectiatented Apr. l, 1958 3. ond cross-piece 23 which isintegral with the upper part 2 of the boring apparatus. Tubular members 24 and 25 serve to guide the spring 22 at its ends. The block 11 is connected to the sleeve 14 by a perforated conical member 26 and is provided at its lower part with apeitures ,27 and at its upper part with notches or crenels which form therebetween scraper `members 28 for the inside wall of the body 1. The side wall of the block 11 is slightly spaced away from the wall ofr the body 1 so as to provide an annular space 29 between the walls, and at its lower part lower scraper members 30 are arranged between the apertures 27, these` scraper members being located in the same vertical plane as the upper scraper members 28.

The grab is suspended from the positioning and hoisting member or jib by a chain or the like 31 which is prolonged by a cable or the like 32. The latter is associated with a device whereby a mechanical advantage is obtained. The illustrated device comprises a pulley block arrangement including a set of lower pulleys 33 and a set of upper pulleys 34. At the top of the pulley block 33, 34 the cable 32 is attached to an eye 35 adjustably connected to the head 4 by a nut 36.

The upper set of pulleys 34 is carried by a spindle 37 housed and maintained in position by a split pin 38 in a tranverse tubular member comprising two sleeves 39 which are integral with the upper part 2 of the boring apparatus and are further supported by `webs40.

The lower set of pulleys 33 is carried by a spindle 41 which is supported by a hollow block or case 42 which is housed inside the block 11 and -is urged downwardly by a spring43. The latter s weaker than the spring 22 and at its upper end bears against the inner wall 44 of the end of the guide tube 24, which is integral with the crosspiece 21 and the block 11.

At the lower part of the case 42 is fixed by` a nut 45 a cylindrical locking rod 46 which extends along the axis of the boring apparatus and slides in the sleeve 14 and the block 16 when the case 42 is displaced in the block 11. The rod 46 is provided at its lower end with a conical head which constitutes a wedge 47. The latter bears against and wedges the oblique bearing surfaces 48 of the side members 20 and thus ensures the positive blocking or locking of the scoops 7 in their open position. An elongated slot 49 is provided in the locking rod 46 for the passage of the key 15 and its position and length are such that when the grab assembly at the lower part of the boring apparatus s in the open position shown in Fig. l. the upper end ofthe slot is a certain distance from the top face of the key 15. intended to ensure that the wedge 47 is allowed at least sucient travel for wedging between the bearing surfaces 48 of the scoops under the laction of the spring 43. Furthermorc, any wear that might occur on the contacting bearing surfaces is in this way accommodated.

The upper part 2 of the body of the boring apparatus is closed by a perforated conical member 51 which carries an axially disposed ring 52 for guiding the cable 32. The locking head 4 is supported by a plate 53 which is integral with the arched members 3 and it comprises two radially disposed side members 54 which carry a tubular sleeve 55 in which is slidable a tube or slide 56 which at its lower part extends through the head 4 and the plate 53 and is urged downwardly by a spring 57 which bears against the head 4 and against a nut 58 screwed on the tube 56.

In the wall of the tube or slide 56 are provided two diametrically opposed apertures 59 which cooperate with pawls 60. The latter are pivotally mounted on pins 61 integral with the side members 54 and are so shaped that their weight causes them to rock in the direction of arrow f and bear by their outer heels against the upper face of the locking head 4.

An elongated slot 62 is provided in the wall of the slide 56 for cooperating with an abutment member 63 The clearance 50 thereby obtained is 1 shown in the form of a screw which is carried by the sleeve 75 55 and is adapted to prevent rotation of the slide 56. The latter comprises, furthermore, an annular bearing surface or shoulder 64 which is adapted to bear against the upper face of the sleeve 55. At the upper part of the slide 56 there is provided an upwardly llared and rounded mouth 65 around which is provided an annular lip 66.

This slide 56 may be locked in position relative to the head 4 by means of a locking device shown in greater detail in Figs. l0 to `l2. This device comprises a cylindrical block 67 rotatively mounted in a tubular housing 68 provided on the sleeve 55. At the inner end of the block 67 are provided two parallel axially extending llats which form therebetween a diametrically disposed, at and substantially rectangular latch or locking member 69 which is adapted freely to enter a circular aperture 70 provided in the wall of the slide 56. Above this aperture 70 is provided an aperture in the shape of a vertical slot 71 whose width is slightly more than the width of the latch member 69.. When the latter is in the horizontal position (Figs. l,` l0 and ll), the slide 56 is connected to the sleeve 55, and when the latch is in a vertical position (Figs. 2, 7, 8 and 9) the latch member is able to enter the slot 71 and thc slide 56 is free to move longitudinally relative to the sleeve 55.

The block 67 is rotated by means of a key introduced in a square hole 72 provided in the outer end of the block and it is maintained in position in the housing 68 in the axial direction by a screw 73 which is screwed in this housing 68 and whose point engages an annular groove 74 in the cylindrical wall of the block 67. For the purpose of securing the latch 69 in either its locking operative position or its inoperative position, the block 67 is provided on its cylindrical wall with two concave notches 75 and 76 (Fig. 10) which are disposed at 90 from each other relative to the axis of the block 67 so that each one corresponds to one of the positions of the latch 69. A ball 77, housed in a small tube 78 which is integral with the housing 68 and whose axis is disposed perpendicular to that of the block 67, is adapted to engage either of these notches. The ball 77 is urged towards the block 67 by a spring 79 which bears against a screw-threaded plug 80 screwed in the tube 78.

The head 4 is adapted to cooperate, through themedium of the pawls 60, with a special chain link 81 comprising a plate 82 which is carried by the chain 31 adjacent the connection of the latter to the cable 32. The head 4 is adapted furthermore to cooperate, through the medium of the slide 56 and the horizontal bearing surfaces 83 (see Figs. 6-9) provided on the side members 54, with hooking means. The latter is suspended from thc positioning and hoisting means for the boring apparatus, which is not shown in the drawing. The chain 31 and the cable 32 pass through the hooking means.

The hooking means, which are of known type, are shown in Figs. 6 to 9. They comprise a support member 84 which is suspended by two cables or chains 85 from, or otherwise connected to the hoisting apparatus and sup ports a cylindrical block 86 which the slide 56 is adapted to enter and abut against an upper annular bearing surface. In the cylindrical wall of the block 86 are provided two diametrically opposed apertures 87 in which two pawls 88 are adapted to engage. These pawls are pivotally mounted on pins 89 carried by outer webs 90 integral with the block 86. The pawls 88 are so adapted and arranged that under the action of their own weight, they tend to rock in the direction of arrows f1. A part of one pawl 88 has been broken away in Figs. 6 to 9 for the sake of clarity.

The unit comprising the block 86 and the webs 90 is surrounded by a ring 91 which is movable in the vertical direction and is provided with apertures 92. The outer ends of the pawls 88,relative to the axis of the block 86, extend through these apertures 92. The travel of the ring 91 relative to the block 86 is limited by a linger or stop member 93. The latter s secured to the ring 91 and extends through a vertical slot 94 provided in a plate 95 Y.whichisfintegral with.the.webs .90. .Thebase ofrthefring 91L may` enter into .contactwiththebearing surfaces 483 of 4the head4. .l

The boringapparatus operates in the following manner:

InFig. 1 the boring apparatus hasbeen shown in its position for continuously operating as a boring tool, `the scoops being in their open position. The slide 56 is locked in its .upper position by the latch 69 which is in its .horizontal position, the spring 57 vis compressed and the link 81 is held .down by the pawls 60. While the boring apparatus is actually suspended from the chain 'f 31, the plate82 urges the pawls 60 against'the head 4.

Hence the apparatus is suspended from ythe chain 31 -solely by means of the'link p1atew82 and the pawls 60.

closing. Owing to this double and positive support of the scoops and to the fact that the cable 32 is isolated by the link plate 82 from any strain due to hoisting the boring apparatus, the mechanism of the latter is shielded from the movements of the apparatus and from the impact of the grab scoops on the soil.

If it is desired to end the boring operation and remove the broken up soil by closing the grab, before allowing the boring apparatus to descend once more, the block 67 is rotated through 90 so. as to bring it in the inoperative position for releasing the slide 56, the latch 69 being then vertical and opposite the slot 71. At the moment when the grab rests on the bottom of the excavated pit, slack is given to the chain 31, the link 81 drops through the head 4 and frees the pawl60. The spring 57 urges the slide 56 downwards, thelatch 69 enters the slot 71 and, in descending, this slide 56` bears against the ends of the pawls .60 and causes them to pivot in the direction opposite to that-of arrow f and retract their ends from the inside of the slide 56 and thus permit the free upward travel of theflink plate 82.

The `chain 31 is then wound up and, since the link plate 82 is free to rise and pass through the slide 56, this movement of the chain is transmitted to the cable 32 and thence, through the pulley block 33, 34, to the case 42 which rises, displaces 'the locking rod-46 and compresses the spring 43. The wedge 47 rises and the scoops 7 are unlocked. If the cable is continued to be drawn up, the lower .edge ofthe aperture 49 subsequently enters into contact with the key and causes the block 16, the

sleeve 14 and the block 11 to be raisedr and the scoops 7 thereuponclose and the spring 22 is in turn compressed (see Fig. 2). The boring apparatus is then raised up to its hooked position inthe hookingmeans.`

When the head4 is `in theneighborhood yof the hooking means vthe `slide`56 enters'thebloc'k 86 and the bearing surfaces 83-enter-into contact with the ring v91fwhich they raise. The'lfreedlpawls v88 then rock in the direction of arrow f1 andreturnatothe hooking position as shown Ain Fig. 7. If slack is -given -to the 'cable 32lthe'boring apparatus ydescends ashort distance and the annular lip r66 bears against the pawls- 88 and thus ensures the hooking of the boring apparatus to the hooking means (see Fig. 8). The ring 91emoves Adownwardly onto the pawls :`;8.8 an'd .the weightofthe boring apparatus is supported by the.slide5.6, the .spring57 .and'cthe-.nut 58. -lThespi-ing 57 is compressed and the slide 56 rises relative to the sleeve 55. If further slack is given to the cable 32 the latter passes through the pulley block 33, 34, the action of the spring 22 becomes once more predominant and the block 11 once more descends and causes, through the mediurnofr thesleeve 14andthe/block16, the scoops 7 .to open andgempty .the contents of the grab.

For unhooking` the boring apparatus and lowering the klatter with the lgrab open, more slack is` given to the cable ZiZuntily the link plate 82 is. situated once more belowthe pawls60. The boring apparatus is then in the .position shown in Fig. 1; the scoops are locked in their open position and the springs 22 and 43 are expanded. The cable32 isthen slightly drawn up, the plate 82 of the link 81 bears against the pawls 60, the slide 56 rises with the boring apparatus and, as soon as the lip 66 leaves the pawls 88, the latter rock in the direction opposite ,to thatof arrow f1 under the actionlof the weight of the` ring 91. and areretracted from the inner wall of the block. S6. The cable 32 is released and the boring apparatus, which is freed from the block 86 (see Fig. 9), is able to descend with the scoops in their open position as shownin Fig. 1. Before the boring apparatus is allowed to descend, the slide 56 may be once more locked :to the sleeve 55 by rotating the latch 67 or, if it is desired that the boring apparatus continue to remove the .baie-likeaction of the apertures 27, the Scrapers 28 and 30 andthe annular chamber 29 results in a turbulent circulation which washes out'any solid bodies that might pass rvthrough the perforated members 26 and 51 and thus considerably lessens the risk of seizure of the various moving parts and especially ensures that the block 11 does not' become blocked in the cylinder 1.

It is clearthat, owing to the upper and lower locking devices, .a single cable or chain may be used for both hoisting the boring vapparatus and controlling the opening. and closing movements of the grab scoops. The portion of the cable which controls the scoop actuating ymembers is ycompletely isolated from the portion forming the lhoisting cable or chain, when the boring apparatus operates as a boring tool, i. e., when the scoops are locked in their open position.

Althougha specific embodiment of the invention has been described hereinbefore, it is to be understood that many changes and modications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

In the illustrative embodiment it has been mentioned that the device vwhereby a mechanical advantage is obtained is in the form of a pulley block. It is obvious that any other device which gives the same result may be used.

Having now described my inventionwhat l claim as .new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Boring apparatus suitable as a boring tool for break- .ing up the ground and asa grab for removing the broken up material, which comprises flexible control means, a substantiallycylindrical body connected to said control means, a movable block slidable axially in said cylin- .dricalbody the movements of said block being controlled by said control means to which it is operatively connected, scoopspivoted tothe lower part of said cylindrical body, ,a tube integral with -said movable block and-downwardlycxtending, extensions von -said scoops, these extensions being connected to thelower part of said tube ;by means .ofpinand elongated slot arrangements so that scoops are open, an elongated slot provided in the locking rod, a pin carried by said tube andextendng through said slot, a` spring of which one end bears against the upper part of the movable block and the other end urges the locking rod downwards, and a second spring stronger than the first spring interposed between the upper part of the cylindrical body and the movable block for urging the latterdownwards.

2. Boring apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising abutments carried by the lower part of the cylindrical body for limiting the outward opening movements of the scoops.

3. In a boring apparatus used both as a boring tool for breakingr up the ground and as a grab for removing the broken up material, the combination: a substantially cylindrical body having a vertical axis, a movable block slidable axially in said cylindrical body between an uppermost and a lowermost position, scoops pivoted to the lower part of said cylindrical body, a pin and elongated slot arrangement connecting said block with each of said scoops whereby downward movement of said block to said lowermost position causes the `scoops to open and assume their boring positions and upward movement of said block to said uppermost position causes the scoops to close inwardly towards the axis of said cylindrical body and thereby assume their material-holding position, a locking rod slidable in said block in a direction parallel with said axis between an extreme upper position and an extreme lower position, bearing surfaces provided on the scoops, a wedge formed on the lower end ofpsaid locking rod and adapted for insertion between said bearing surfaces when the scoops are in their open position and said locking rod is inzsaid extreme lower position, means for ensuring that the block and the locking rod have a tendency to move downwardly relative to said body, controlling means for controlling the position of the locking rod relative to said body, these controlling means comprising a ilexible member one end of which is operatively connected to the locking rod through the medium of a device whereby a mechanical advantage is obtained, the other end of said exible member being adapted to be operatively connected to the device adapted to hoist and control the boring apparatus, whereby when the flexible member is pulled relative to said body the locking rod is caused to rise to said extreme upper position thereof and disengage from said bearing surfaces and thereafter raise the block to said uppermost position thereof and when the exible member is released relative to said body the locking rod descends relative to said body, the block descending with this locking rod until the block attains said lowermost position whereupon the locking rod in continuing its downward movement moves to said extreme lower position and the wedge inserts itself between said bearing surfaces.

4. Boring apparatus suitable as a boring tool for breaking up the ground and as a grab for removing the broken up material, which comprises a single flexible hoisting and control means, hooking means supported above the ground, a substantially cylindrical body suspended from said hoisting means and movable by the latter between the ground and said hooking means, a block movable axially in said body, the movements of said block being controlled by said hoisting means to which it is operatively connected, scoops pivoted to the lower part of said body, bearing surfaces provided on said scoops, a device for operatively connecting said block to the scoops whereby downward movement of said block relative to said body causes the scoops to open and upward movement of said block causes the scoops to close, a locking rod in the form of a wedge, slidably mounted in the said block, controlled v and thereby locking the scoops when they are in their open position, the connection between said cable and said block and said locking rod being so adapted and arranged that said locking rod is disengaged from said bearing surfaces before said block is moved in the direction to close the scoops, retractable abutment means mounted at the upper part of said body and movable between an operative position and a retracted inoperative position, an abutment member fixed on said hoisting means in such position that it is co-operable with the retractable abutment means and is capable of moving between an upper position above and a lower position below the retractable abutment means and is below the latter when the locking rod is in its position for locking the scoops, this retractable abutment means being biassed to its operative position in which it is adapted to allow the abutment member to move to its lower position but prevents it from moving up to its upper position, a slide cooperating with the retractable abutment means and mounted at the upper part of said body and movable longitudinally of the latter between an upper position in which it allows the retractable abutment means to `assume either of its two positions and a lower position in which it holds the retractable abutment means in its retracted position, elastically yieldable means associated with the slide to urge the latter to its lower position and cause retraction of the retractable abutment means, projecting means provided on the slide, said hooking means being so constructed and arranged as to hook on said projecting means Whensaid body is raised up to the hooking means by said hoisting means, whereby said body can be suspended from the hooking means through the medium of the slide, said elastically yieldable means being such as to yield elastically under the weight of the suspended part of the apparatus so that by suspending said body through the medium of the slide the latter moves to said upper position thereof.

5. Boring apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said retractable abutment means comprises pawls which are mounted for pivotal movement about axes transverse to the longitudinal axis of said body and are capable of engaging and preventing upward movement of said abutment member but allowing downward movement of the latter, said slide is a tube whichencompasses said hoisting means and which when moved to its lower position relative to said body urges said pawls downwardly about their axes to their retracted inoperative position.

6. Boring apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein locking means are mounted at the upper part of said body for engaging said tube and locking it in its upper position when it is desired to retain said abutment member in engagement under the pawls, whereby said body can be raised off and dropped onto the ground a plurality of times without causing closure of the scoops.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,058,031 Burgdorf Apr. 8, 1913 1,477,530 Barnard Dec. 18, 1923 1,477,679 Woolley Dec. 18, 1923 1,730,704 Wild Oct. 8, 1929 1,985,710 Allard Dec. 25, 1934 1,986,095 Allard Jan. 1, 1935 FOREIGN PATENTS 665,775 Great Britain Jan. 30, 1952 1,045,176 France June 24, 1953 

